Month: December 2025

New York jeweler Paul Flato

New York jeweler Paul Flato
Loretta Young, jewels by Flato, Vogue November 1940 ad. New York jeweler Paul Flato

Few jewelers could boast of connections with influential people from faraway India and queens of major powers, but that is precisely the privilege that fell to Paul Flato, who lived at 1 E 57th Street. Perhaps no other jeweler has risen so high and fallen so low under the blows of fate.

Paul Edmund Flato (1900 – 1999) graduated from the University of his native Texas and moved to New York City in 1922. Having started his business as a watch and jewelry seller and having earned his initial capital, he soon opened a small jewelry shop at One East 57th Street.
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Milton A Fuller Fine Jewelry

Milton A Fuller Fine Jewelry
Palm Beach Life March 1946 ad. Milton A Fuller Fine Jewelry

Charles M Fuller (1863 – 1948) and his son Milton A Fuller (1895 – 1965) organized the Milton A Fuller, Inc, in 1933. They opened jewelry stores at 124 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville, and at 236 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, Florida. According to 1933 ad, their store in Palm Beach was the most beautiful jewelry boutique in the world.

Before opening their jewelry firm Charles and Milton had worked for the renowned jewelry company Greenleaf & Crosby in Jacksonville. Charles Fuller, who had been with Greenleaf & Crosby since 1877, later acquired the original owners’ stake and became president of Greenleaf & Crosby Co. Milton Fuller had been vice-president of Greenleaf & Crosby for seven years.
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J.R. Wood & Sons Jewelry Company History

J.R. Wood & Sons Jewelry Company History
Fortunate Day, Vogue June 1946 ad. J.R. Wood & Sons Jewelry Company History

The history of what was once the world’s largest American ring manufacturer began in Brooklyn, with just one chair and one table, and no equipment. Its founder, John Richardson Wood, with the help of a few workers, began producing simple gold rings daily in 1850.

Born in Rumford, Maine, John Richardson Wood came to Brooklyn at the age of 21 and found work for a ring maker named Douglass, then working on Gold Street in Manhattan. After mastering craft, John Wood opened his own small workshop four years later on the corner of Fulton Street and Schenectady Avenue in Brooklyn.
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Forgotten Jewelry Designer Frank Hartley

Forgotten Jewelry Designer Frank Hartley
Set of necklace earrings. bracelet and ring, March 1942 ad. Forgotten Jewelry Designer Frank Hartley

Frank S Hartley, a renowned European jeweler of the 1930s, moved to the United States at the start of World War II. In 1939, he rented space for his jewelry store on East 57th Street in Manhattan, New York City. The luxurious store, bearing the sign “Frank S Hartley,” and the exquisite jewelry sold there immediately attracted the attention of wealthy customers.

Walking through Frank S. Hartley’s jewelry store, one could notice many highly original ideas in jewelry design. Miniature gold baskets, interwoven with platinum and adorned with rubies and diamonds, could be worn as brooches or earrings. Hartley had an original collection of jewelry featuring Ceylon sapphires, emeralds, and rubies.
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Hess-Appel Inc Jewelry Company History

Hess-Appel Inc Jewelry Company History (1934 - 1956)
Spring Treasures, Sterling silver, gold and rhodium plated lapel pins, Vogue May 1947 ad. Hess-Appel Inc Jewelry Company History (1934 – 1956)

The first mention of the Hess-Appel Corporation appeared on January 18, 1934, in The New York Times. Registered at 28 W. 36th Street, Hess-Appel manufactured and distributed jewelry and novelties. The corporation’s founders were Lester L. Hess (1889 – 1979) and Jacob (Jack) H. Appel (circa 1890 – 1960).

Before founding the Hess-Appel company, Lester Hess had extensive experience in all areas of the jewelry business. Thus, he worked at various times as a designer, sales representative, travel agent, jeweler, and manager. According to Jewelers’ Circular, 1915, Lester L. Hess co-founded Rosenberg & Hess, a jewelry and hair ornament manufacturer located at 4 W. 37th St., New York.
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Leo Glass Jewelry Company History

Leo Glass Jewelry Company History
Bonny Bells crystal flower jewelry, Vogue February 1939 ad. Leo Glass Jewelry Company History

Leo M. Glass (1903-1958) and his wife Beatrice Glass (d. 1999) founded a jewelry importing, selling, and manufacturing company Leo Glass & Co in August 1928. Registered at 389 Fifth Ave., New York, the small company began by buying and selling costume jewelry, fine leather goods and novelties.

It’s worth noting that before founding his company, Leo Glass spent several years selling various goods, including jewelry. His last position, until March 1928, was as a sales representative for the well-known company D. Lisner & Co. It was from this time that Leo Glass was first mentioned in the Jewelry Circular.
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Renowned New York Jeweler Edmond Frisch

Renowned New York Jeweler Edmond Frisch
Rose spray brooch, with small diamonds, bracelet, and ring with diamond — all combining pink and natural gold. Pink gold watch with bird ornament and black dial, diamond and platinum engagement ring and diamond baguette wedding band. Jeweler’s Circular October 1940 cover. Renowned New York Jeweler Edmond Frisch

The life of renowned New York jeweler Edmond E. Frisch (1889-1971), creator of fine jewelry and jeweled watches, was quite vibrant. A native of Montreux, Switzerland, he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence at the outbreak of World War I.

Returning to New York, Edmond E Frisch entered the jewelry business, opening a store at 576 Fifth Avenue. The jewelry business of Edmond Frisch was quite successful, and he soon opened a branch in the affluent Palm Beach, Florida, area.

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